Merry Christmas!

 Christmastime is here. In just a few days we will be celebrating the birth of our King. The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I can say with confidence, this year 2020 has been a disappointment to most of us.  Many have suffered great loss, great hardship, to the extremes.  Our country has been turned upside down and inside out. We have a president who put our country and her needs ahead of his.  Yet he also suffered greatly.  President Trump and his family have been put through a living hell.  But he never stopped fighting for us.  We had hope that our election would prove how much the American people support him. But instead fraudulent acts, theft, lies have robbed us of the victory we voted for.  

Oh, and yes, the world was polluted with a virus.  I think we all know about that.   

Then we remember we have the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ. Regardless what the enemy tries to do, it cannot and will not take our hope away.  This week many looked to the skies to view the “Christmas Star”. Two planets, Jupiter and Saturn were to be very close to one another, giving us the image of the Christmas Star in the sky.  For so many it was a reminder of our hope that was born over 2000 years ago.  That hope doesn’t disappoint.  It never fades, or disappears.  It may not seem as vibrant at times, but it remains. It is steadfast and always there for us. 

“The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

The Word became flesh, and took up residence.... Yes, He took up residence.  He came to live amongst us.  He didn’t come for a season and then move away.  He came and stayed. 

I gift this to you faithful readers.  The promise of hope, our living hope, who lives amongst us, forever.  

We will face trials and turmoil.  Our world will seem upside down at times.  Our government will disappoint us. Will we ever be able to trust the government?  We must remember, they are flesh, like the rest of us. There is only one perfect among us. Our Lord Jesus Christ. He will never disappoint us. He is always here for us. Always here for us.  

I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas season.  I pray you take time to reflect what Christmas really means to us.  

Merry Christmas my friends. 

#Christmas  #Christmasstar  #Godisfaithful. #Godissteadfast  #ourpromise #ourhope 

The Christmas Star

 Christmas Time is nearing.  But this Christmas is unlike any other. We feel like we are on house arrest. We are being told who to socialize with, if at all.  We are being told how many we are to have in our own homes, and the list goes on.  All of this because of a virus called “COVID-19”.

This lousy virus is robbing us of life.  It is killing many people. It is causing severe illness in many others. It is causing many small business owners to lose their business and livelihood.  Then we have the things we do not see with our own eyes like depression, suicide, bankruptcy, hatred, disrespect, no schooling for the young children.  And again, the list goes on. All because of this lousy virus. 

As desperate as it seems, we must not lose hope.  We gain strength from our hope in Jesus Christ. In His word we read about hardships and disasters that the godly men and women went through. Yet they held on to hope.  God never promised a life without trials, but He promises to help us through those trials step by step. 

When Jesus was born the wisemen and shepherds followed the bright star in the sky.  In the news this week we hear of Jupiter and Saturn passing very close to each other. The first time in hundreds and hundreds of years. Causing the brightest star in the sky since then. It will remind many of that star that shone when Jesus was born. They ran to that star in hope. 

It makes you wonder, will many look to this bright star as a sign of hope?  Will we see it as a sign of promise from God? Will we rise up out of this frightening time of a killer virus and stand firm in our promises from God? I sure hope so.  God is the only one who can save us and rescue us. 

He may use man to deliver those promises.  Are you willing to be used by God to bless others? To help others come out of the dirt and onto a dry and firm foundation in Jesus Christ? 

“I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I pray for you as Christmas nears, that you can stand tall, with the hope we have in Jesus Christ, and hang on tightly to His promises. He came as a baby, walked this earth as a man, was beaten and mocked for love’s sake, all for us.  So that we could live in freedom, and in victory on this land He created for us. Look to His light . 

#Christmas #hopeandfreedom #Christmasstar #runtohope 

We Should Pray, We Should Sing Praises...

 I think we can all agree, 2020 has seemed like a year from the twilight zone.  None of us could even imagine going through a global pandemic.  And here in the United States we are seeing our voices shut down in our election for President.  We voted thinking our vote counts. But instead fraud and greed has taken hold.  

Even though it’s been a year most of us would care to forget, there is something the enemy cannot steal from us.  That is our faith, hope, and the love of our Lord Jesus. This is how we can persevere.  One day at    a time.  One foot in front of the other.  One step at a time.  

I believe we all would agree, in any given day we are apt to hit obstacles in our way. It could be financial, spiritual, physical, emotional, or any other reason that could get in our way.  It is how we face those obstacles that count.  Will we turn around and run the other way? Will we cower down in fear? Will we stand tall and face it boldly? Will we rely on the strength we have from our Lord Jesus? 

The Scriptures tell us not to give up.  To press on, dig in deep, and run right past that obstacle. Also we have a couple of tools to help us. Prayer, and singing praises to our Lord. 

James‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.”

Prayer during those times of suffering .  And singing praises with thanksgiving when we are victorious. 

“Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:14-15

It is easy to be cheerful and sing when we are victorious.  But how about other times?  Let’s think again about this year, 2020. Many have been through devastating times.  Shortage of food, and other products. People hoarding selfishly. There are thousands who have lost their lives because of this deadly virus.  Those families certainly don’t feel like rejoicing. But we still need to. Not just when things are going our way, but in those dark times also.  

We cannot afford to sit and sulk in our own self pity.  But we must stand tall, and fight for truth. Remember, you are not alone in the fire.  There is someone much greater, much stronger, much taller than we are, our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is always with us.  

“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.””

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:6‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I encourage you faithful readers, stand tall and fight, like never before. Our world is being attacked, but Jesus reigns and rules.  He is with us all.  He gives us strength.  

I pray you find that strength, and persevere through your trials, having faith your victory awaits you.  May the Lord bless you all. 

#sing #praise #pray #wearenotalone  #Jesuslovesus